Where are the Fans at Sacramento?

dkny64 wrote:

[quote]DaveW wrote:

p.s. I see that the wikipedia article on Hayward lists the seating capacity as "10,500 (expandable 21,000)" - anyone with first-hand knowledge of both Sac St and Hayward care to comment on how Hayward in its expanded set up compares to Sac St?

I think you know the answer to this. The comparison between they two isn't much of a comparison.

They poster above you already addressed the misleading 10k figure that was quoted.

DaveW wrote:

Maybe you don't understand the fact that he actually showed up at the US Nationals and won the 10k for the 6th time?

The fact that he has run "it" in the last 3 years is a further example that he has always supported the USA and will continue to do so for many years .... but he will decide what races to run.

I'm surprised that you didn't deride him for not running the 800 also.

I agree that you should not respond anymore on the subject of Galen Rupp.

I'm high as f*ck so I am responding but why would anyone care about the newly minted US 10000m record holder beating a bunch of runners who don't have PRs within 40+ seconds of him? And then he sits on someone in said race? Are you kidding me? Him vs, Lagat would have been great (because we all know how Lagat owns him) and he didnt do it.

I agree that civil competition could be a good thing.

I know that Drake has been there for years I and respect what they have done. I didn't think that Sac St. had the passion for all events (but perhaps no venue does).

I have never been to Hayward, but every time I see a race there on TV, I put it on my "to do" list.

Is there no way to combine the enthusiasm of a place like Hayward but in a more accessible place ... or would that change the mystique?

The fans are a reflection of the value the athletes place on the USATF championships. When there is no incentives such as a world team or if the meet would just be disruptive to their training/Diamond League $$$$ schedules, why would they compete? You can't really expect the athletes to compete for "nothing". It's just business. They aren't interested in the entertainment aspect of sport. A title is nice and could be a stepping stone for those trying to make a name for themselves but the best already have. You are lucky some of the best even show up in the off years. Those that bag on Des Moines typically aren't even at the meet. Look at the actual performances from last year and compare to this year. Drake Stadium produces great performances regardless of the fan numbers. Too bad for those that refuse to attend. They .missed out. However, if I hung a thousand dollar bill over the finish line for every other lap I could guarantee a better race than what we typically see no matter who is in the field or where the race is run.

DaveW wrote:

I agree that civil competition could be a good thing.

I know that Drake has been there for years I and respect what they have done. I didn't think that Sac St. had the passion for all events (but perhaps no venue does).

I have never been to Hayward, but every time I see a race there on TV, I put it on my "to do" list.

Is there no way to combine the enthusiasm of a place like Hayward but in a more accessible place ... or would that change the mystique?

DaveW: I'm amused that we find ourselves in very close to complete agreement on this thread and almost complete disagreement on the Leo Manzano thread. Funny how letsrun can work sometimes.

Anyway, I think the deeper problem is the lack of truly first-rate T&F venues in the US. All in I think the best we have is Hayward, but that's without having even ever been there in person + acknowledging that it's far from ideal.

I have been to Icahn - great track in major city but 2nd-3rd rate spectator venue + pain to get to. Further from ideal than Hayward imho.

p.s. DaveW as tribute to Dave Wottle? Or because [I guess stranger things have happened] you ARE Dave Wottle???

It's a national championship. A race to see who is the best in the nation in that event. 10k is Rupp's best event - why wouldn't he run it, regardless of how good the competition is? That's the competition's fault, not Rupp's.

I'm not Dave Wottle, although he inspired me.

I don't know what you mean about Manzano. I have no tolerance for Leo representing two countries at the same time.

I do plan to visit Hayward but it's unlikely that I will ever visit the other venues.

I don't think Sacramento should get ripped. I think your criticism is reason #1 why Eugene should get the meet in the off years. Track Town USA has an audience of 3-5,000 fans that will show up no matter what.In other towns, you have to give them compelling action. When it's the Olympic Trials, more than 100,000 will show up whether it's Sacramento or Des Moines.This year, if I was a cascuals sports fans in California considering going to the meet, I'd say, "where are the stars? Where's Felix, Merritt, Gatlin, Centro?"Track isn't the most popular of sports to begin with and then you ask fans to go watch the equivalent of a pre-season footbal game.Plus :

LOA wrote:

Watching it for free on the internet? Why should I drive 2 hours from the Bay Area to sit in 90 heat when I can get a better view on my couch? Also, turning around the sprints and hurdles screw all the people that bought the most expensive seats. Just saying.

The poster above makes a good point. I've never understood why minor sports put there stuff on the Net for free. I'd keep it off the net, maybe show it in a few days for USATF members.

But you are upset the crowd is low? Have u looked at the USATF.tv free stream numbers. Just 3500 people nationwide watch the action when it's 100% free.

Given that, it's amazing there are any fans at the meet.

The CCS meet had more people. Central Coast Section High School meet in San Jose a few weeks back.

Let's be realistic, some of the big dogs didn't ur so they didn't have to be drug tested. I agree with the above post, if the athletes don't care to come compete, why should fans come to watch. The athletes don't understand that they are losing themselves money because the more popular the sport the more you're paid so to say they have nothing to gain by running is false. It's the USA Championships, have some pride. This should be treated like the nba finals or super bowl but it's not. Our runners say hey you should only care about the Olympics and the fans listen. Stop shooting yourself in the foot track and field

It's 120 degrees on the track. That's too many degrees.

This is a great thread. I can remember everyone ripping on Drake and look at this year. Looks like a high school meet! Des Moines a second tier city to Eugene? Eugene is a crap hole except for Hayward. All the talk last year about the heat in a Des Moines and all the wimps who complained and said it should never return. Yeah it looks Packed this year! Packed! Seriously the venue looks like a high school venue!

Heywoodulowme wrote:

This is a great thread. I can remember everyone ripping on Drake and look at this year. Looks like a high school meet! Des Moines a second tier city to Eugene? Eugene is a crap hole except for Hayward. All the talk last year about the heat in a Des Moines and all the wimps who complained and said it should never return. Yeah it looks Packed this year! Packed! Seriously the venue looks like a high school venue!

Having spent a fair amount of time in Des 'Moines and now living in Eugene I can certainly attest to Eugene not being a crap hole. It has more natural beauty, a way more interesting university, a more active community and just as much to do as Des Moines (vibrant arts, symphony, opera, longest running farmers market of local farmers, artists, craftspeople in the country, etc.). Not too mention that DM's microbreweries don't even compare to Eugene's.

I'm glad HyVee has made a significant investment in the Drake Relays and to helping Des Moines develop T&F, but no need to try to slander Eugene to make yourself feel better.

Dennis Reynolds 2.0 wrote:

Why should the fans give two sh*ts about this meet if the pros don't? If one of our best runners is going to skip a national championship race he has run the past 3 years so he can rest up to run in France in a meet that no one can watch why should they show up? It's not just Rupp there are plenty of other big names not competing in events but I don't like him so I'm calling him out.

While there are things that USA Swimming screws up horribly, one thing they get right IMO is saying that in order to make the USAS Senior National Team and its living wage National Team stipend ($39K a year- so liveable outside of California), you essentially have to finish in the top six of an event at the National Championships. Given that swimwear companies don't seem to pay out as well as shoe companies do, it's a pretty huge incentive to someone who may not be a Michael Phelps or Natalie Coughlin, but who is still good enough to final at worlds/Olympics and pick up the odd minor medal at that level.

So even for an off year, you pretty much get every name who is healthy and not in an extreme Alysia Montaño condition to show up.

The semi-finals. More kids competing = more parents. Finals was kind of pathetic.

This article discusses attendance numbers... 38K+ for all 5 days of the meet although that figure includes more than 5000 for the shot put event at the Capitol lawn.

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/29/6521516/big-hurdles-cleared-on-final-day.html

Supposedly attendance "far exceeded goals set by USA Track & Field" although it doesn't say who said that or what the goals were.

Dennis, why aren't you pissed at Lagat for not doubling 10,000 and 5,000? Why doesn't he have the guts to race Rupp in his speciality? Rupp gave the fans 25 laps, Lagat only 12 1/2. Seems like Rupp is giving the spectators more for their buck.

Your rant is beyond ridiculous. The dude shows up for USAs and you still find a stupid reason to rip the guy. Go crawl back into your hole.